The Relationship Between the Anaerobic Speed Reserve and Acute Responses to High-Intensity Interval Training in Female Soccer Players [Article Review]

Introduction

Greg L. Aspin and colleagues present a timely study titled "The Relationship Between the Anaerobic Speed Reserve and Acute Responses to High-Intensity Interval Training in Female Soccer Players." As women's soccer rapidly expands worldwide, the need for research specifically addressing female athletes becomes increasingly important. This article investigates how the anaerobic speed reserve (ASR)—the difference between maximal sprint speed (MSS) and maximal aerobic speed (MAS)—can be used to profile athletes and individualize high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for female soccer players. The study also compares physiological responses across different HIIT modalities.

Key Takeaways

ASR as a Reliable Profiling Tool

• The study found that ASR, MAS, and MSS all demonstrated high test-retest reliability in sub-elite female soccer players. This means ASR is a consistent and dependable metric for use in this population.

• Reliable measurement is essential for coaches and practitioners who want to use ASR to individualize training and monitor progress.

Relationship Between ASR and HIIT Responses

• ASR showed moderate correlations with ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), post-session blood lactate, and heart rate during long-interval HIIT. There was a strong correlation between ASR and RPE during sprint interval training (SIT).

• These findings suggest that an athlete’s ASR can help predict how taxing different HIIT sessions will feel and how the body will respond physiologically.

Comparisons Among HIIT Types

• Four HIIT formats were tested: repeated-sprint training (RST), sprint interval training (SIT), long intervals, and short intervals.

• Sprint interval training (SIT) produced the highest RPE and post-session blood lactate, making it the most demanding session for the athletes.

• Heart rate responses varied by session type, with long intervals eliciting higher average heart rates than repeated-sprint training.

Implications for Individualized Training

• The results indicate that ASR can be used to tailor HIIT programs to an athlete’s unique profile. For example, endurance-oriented players (lower ASR) may tolerate and benefit more from long-interval HIIT, while speed-oriented players (higher ASR) might be better suited to shorter, more intense intervals.

• This individualized approach can help optimize adaptation, improve performance, and potentially reduce injury risk by aligning training demands with each athlete’s physiological characteristics.

  
  

Conclusion and Practical Application for Sports Performance

Aspin et al.'s research provides clear evidence that ASR is a reliable and informative tool for profiling female soccer players and individualizing HIIT prescriptions. Coaches and sports scientists are encouraged to incorporate ASR assessments—alongside MAS and MSS—into their regular testing protocols. By using these metrics, training can be tailored to better match each athlete’s strengths and tolerances, leading to more effective conditioning, improved recovery, and a reduced risk of overtraining or injury.

In practice, this means regularly evaluating players’ ASR and using the results to select HIIT formats and intensities that best fit their profiles. This strategy not only supports optimal individual development but also contributes to the overall performance of the team. The study marks a significant step forward in evidence-based training for female soccer players, offering actionable insights for sports performance professionals aiming to maximize the benefits of HIIT.

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